Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-02-04
An im,,ui'tant Decision.
THE WuMAN->UtFhAGE ACT DECLARED
UNIONS rITrTlONtL.

our Territory. II tn" simple DECLARE
ton OF leading journal. that it WAS
not in sympathy with a policy already
adopted and supposed to he beyond
change, at least until the question of
Statehood required an expression OF
the people for placing ii permanently
create such CONSERVATION, what will
be their dismay when the news flashes
over the Territory that the Supreme
Court has, in the decision of one of the
cases before it, declared the suffrage
act unconstitutional, and with this III
timatum wiped out every vestige of
legal right ever possessed by women
to the ballot? What will be the dis
comtiture of that class of politicians
who have so zcaluusly sought favor
with this new element in politics,
now, having crossed the RuhicOn Of
doubt and enlisted as valiant knights
to do and to die in the service of the
fair ones who but yesterday were such
il potent factor in the decision of every
act of civil polity? Had a lightning
stroke descended from clear sky, it
could not have created Il more pro-
found impression.
The measure, adopted in our Terri
torial condition, was of course simply
on trial. 1t was to stand or fall upon
the demonstrated results of its proba-
tionary existence. The three years Of
experimental test have not yet fur
nished conclusive proof that it was
desirable to incorporate it into the
State fabric. 1t had done much to
break down the barriers of prejudice
against it, but on the other hand had
developed some of the evils prcdict,d
by its opponents and which could only
be cradicatcd by Il higher form OF civil
| llLitiOl, d Sltdtti Nilp"NuSt vi tii'
duties Of citizenship, and an cXtirpa-
ton OF many Of the forms OF pre- udice
which the emotional nature of the
gentler sex foster and develop. 1t is
to be regretted, therefore, that time
was not given for obtaining thorough
knowledge on the subject, and that il
will of necessity, be rclcgatcd to tn,
political field, to sue for recognition
instead of being able daily to add t,
the testimony upon which to has,
an intelligent verdict. 1t is by ut
means certain that another oprortun
ity will be afforded, although the pre-
sent Legislature was elected as favor
ing, by negation at least, equal roliti
cal privileges, and it is still less prob
able that Congress will cure the defcc
by special act of legislation. TIL,
women have shown too much of Il dis
position to unite spiritual with tempo
raj interests; too much of desire t.
glorify the church by a sacrifice of TIN
affairs of state; too much of prone
ness to regulate what they conceive
to he healthful condition of pub
lie morals by statutory enactment
and too little regard for the couns Is q
those who were instrumental in plac
ing the sceptcr of power in thci
hands, and who had met and com
batted so successfully the objection
that their conduct only serves to shoy
were well-iOundcd. The STANDARD, Il
is well known, was one of the first an,
at all times the most determined ad
vOcate the cause had in the political
arena and the halls of legislation, bu
no sooner had the object been attainc,
than its advice was spurncd, simpl
!, because its ethical system diffcre,
somewhat from that of the only organ
lied bodies of the newly enfranchise,
voters. federation of an adverse cree,
. seemed to find no place in their est
mate of political duty, and the discoy
: cry has been made that the sword ha,
, been placed in hands so unskilled tina
it was as likely to be turned agains
friend as against foe. This is tn
, complaint of many who aided womel
to the ballot, and it is doubtful if the
can ever again be reunited in soil,
phalanx. The cause was held on
trembling balance. 1t could not hav
spared single element that added T.
its weight at the decisive moment, no
) had it any better prospect of success
from delay, as the strength it had dc
| veloped served to arouse the most dc
! termined opposition.
The Intelligencer claims that Il ma
jority of the people Of the Territory d
not and never have favored equality {
political rights. This is, of course,
mere assumption, and is based upo
the idea that political platforms mea
nothing, and that politicians promise
are unworthy of credit If it is true
it demonstrates Enthusiastically tn
power of the ballot as a means of en-
forcing any given policy, and the dc
: STABILITY of its retention, if the wome1
would maintain equal rights under tn
law.
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